72Hrs Darkness before harvest:
increases THC in the Bud
The Stichting Institute of Medical Marijuana (SIMM), the first company to sell marijuana through the pharmacies of Holland, has been investigating the medical possibilities of cannabis, together with TNO laboratories and the University of Leiden. One of their discoveries has been that to keep the ripe plants in the dark before harvesting could increase their potency.
SIMM’s growers separated a crop of mature plants, harvested half of them and kept the other half in absolute darkness for 72 hours before cutting and drying. Analysis of the resulting dried buds showed that some varieties had seen an increase of THC of up to 30%, while CBD and CBN remained the same.
THE PROCESS
The biosynthesis or production of cannabinoids in the plant follows a chemical process in which some cannabinoids are converted into others. First produced is CBD, which is transformed into THC, and finally into CBN. For this reason plants harvested before their time will contain more, CBD will not have reached its peak. On the other hand, those picked a little late will have more CBN than CBD, and will now have lost some of their THC. There is a perfect moment of ripeness, where the maximum THC is available for the savvy harvester. This can be judged by watched the color of the resin glands - when they start to turn yellow or amber, it’s time to cut, hang and dry.
FAST OR SLOW?
We want fast, nature wants slow. Plants need space to grow in, and time. Further time is needed for drying. Human impatience, either for the buzz or for the profit, and the extreme pressure of growing under prohibition, has shaped our cannabis market to suit its own ends, rather than those of us consumers. For exampe, has led to a preference for indica strains (eg Northern Lights) over sativa, because they grow faster and are smaller, needing less space. Plus they win out in the THC stakes - a stronger, more immediate, and ‘heady’ buzz. (Interestingly, under prohibition of alcohol in the USA, consumption of beer fell while that of hard liquor rose you can get more dollars for a car boot full of illicit whisky than three or four of beer. Less to carry, easier to hide during transport, and at home too. This circumstance produced more alcoholics at a faster rate, since people were now drinking to get drunk rather than sit around enjoying charming flavours.) In a legal market, extra time and extra space would not be at such a premium and consumers would find a wider range of plants, and arguably, much greater delight, on the market. So, if you want a weed that gives more than a fast strong buzz, you’ll have trouble finding that on the black market. Yet another case of: ‘if you want something done properly, do it yourself’. There are plenty of sativa seeds out there looking for good patient homes. Stop choosing the ones with the shortest grow periods! OK, they’ll take a little longer, and a bit more room, but you may be very pleased with results.
People use to put birth control pills in the water for their plants, all kind of crazy shit has been run up the flag pole and there will always be someone there to salute it. Aw fuck, I'm starting to sound like Uncle Ben.. Fuck me.. lol
